Another busy weekend draws to a close pretty much wrapped up the handlebar furniture (still need to fit new grips) and the front end wiring is in (the clocks are away now to have the odometer re-set to zero) also got the front end hydraulics in (ran out of time for the rear and it will be a fiddle as the hose runs through the swingarm) Was a bit of a PITA making the hoses on the bike but that was determined by the routing (why do things the easy way !!!) also need to sort some clips for the front hoses to keep them off the fender









 

Staying in the US for May with this stunning black Ltd from Joseph. The bike has a poignant back story involving the loss of a great friend, there is perhaps a lesson for all of us here given that another great builder “Indian Larry” was also lost in a similar “freak accident”. You will see alongside the “main feature bike” I have included some pics of Joe’s other KZ a beautiful 1327 “Pro-Street” not just because it’s gorgeous but more importantly this bike also has links to Joe’s great friend Vinny.
Well, the story goes that my very good friend and bike builder Vinny Cira passed away on the bike. Vinny and I built numerous bikes over the last 25 or so years. Vinny was an auto body painter and loved colour. He had built KZs in the colours Lamborghini red, yellow and orange. I've always had a black KZ1000 (three in fact) and we called them my cruisers as they could run on pump gas and go anywhere. Every one I built sold rather quickly and I used to tell him because it was black. Vinny didn't care for black bikes but did like mine. Vinny painted my 75 Z1 pro street in PPG radiance colour line and it has three colours. We did it twice (but that is another story!) Another friend and Vinny had gone down to PA to buy two bikes and brought them up to NY to a self storage unit. Our other friend Tom was the purchaser and is a great engine builder... he has several KZs and planned to restore this particular bike. At the storage unit after unloading, Tom decided he wanted to take the bike to his house not far from where they were at. Vinny said “let me warm up the bike and oil” ( easier to drain it).... making a few short laps around the storage area. No helmet and unfortunately he hit a loose metal drainage grate at less than 15 miles an hour and the bike jerked him off, the bike landing on his head. He passed away a couple days later. I have to add that Vinny was a very experienced rider... crazy how this happened and haunts me to this day. The bike sat in the impound lot for a crazy amount of time due to the death,  I told Tom I wanted to buy it, he agreed and I was able to buy it and carry out a complete “redo” of the bike.More resto mod as it has a few I think upgrades... GS1150 swingarm.... 18 front mag wheel and brand new Murray X Pipe... all new throttle speedo tach and clutch cables. Brand new custom seat and pan. The bike was a frame off complete. Powder coated frame swingarm brake callipers  triple trees battery box etc. Every harness and electronics on the bike including lights and controls are brand new. Complete dyna 2000 ignition and brand new tires (16 rear 18 front). Brand new Mikuni 34 flatslides. Every single nut bolt and washer was chromed including axles and engine covers and velocity stacks. Lower engine painted black. New “all balls” steering head and wheel bearings seals and completely rebuilt brake callipers and rear master cylinder. Front master cylinder is brand new. All engine seals and gaskets replaced. Braided brake lines. I have no intention to tear into this engine as it had very low miles other than I added a pan gate in the oil pan and adjusted valves. Besides, I have a built 1327cc Pro street 1975 Z1 for different days. Building the bike was a labour of love and so many things come to mind as I write this. Vinny and I both loved the sound of the Murray X pipe as Tommy has one on a bike of his.....making contact with Dennis Murray and actually buying one from him was priceless. Vinny and I rode many days and nights together with great friends from all walks of life and different riding styles from Harley guys and crotch rockets to pro street guys. It didn't matter what you were riding as long as you were in the wind. Ironically this is bike number 11 that I have been involved in building and they say that has a religious ring to it. It's been therapeutic building this one and I think of him all the time,,, especially when I ride this bike.